Important note: The content in this article should not be construed as medical advice. NO information on the internet, especially YouTube videos, should be treated as such. The thoughts and opinions in this post are my own. Consult your doctor first before making decisions that could impact your health. 

Life Line Screening Reviews: Worth it?

If you are reading this, you have heard of Life Line Screening and would like more information about their testing services.

I am sure you have many questions:

• Who are they?
• How long have they been in business?
• Are they trustworthy?
• Do you really need them?
• Is it worth it to get Life Line Screening done?
• Will their testing services really identify unknown health problems?
• Are they expensive?
• Will health insurance pay for their testing services?
• What do real people say in their life line screening reviews?

I will address all of your questions in an organized, unbiased, and detailed manner.

Let’s get into it…

Full transparency: This article contains affiliate links to Life Line Screening. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at NO additional cost to you. If you have read my other articles, you know that I only recommend products or tests that I believe in or use myself. Thank you sincerely for supporting my website!

What is Life Line Screening?

Life Line Screening was founded in Florida in 1993 by Timothy Phillips and Colin Scully.

Its corporate headquarters is in Austin, Texas, and operates across the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).

Life Line Screening offers a variety of painless, noninvasive preventive health screenings for people over 40 to detect conditions such as risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses.

In 2023, the company screened approximately 600,000 individuals across the United States and identified about 36,000 abnormal results.

Of these, 9,000 were deemed to be critical results!

It is important to note that these findings were discovered from voluntary testing these individuals made with Life Line Screening.

That is something to take pause and think about.

Life Line Screening hosts screening events at easily accessible locations such as churches, libraries, town halls, etc.

For my own health screening, I went to my local Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW) facility.

And, yes…I will talk about my experience with Life Line Screening later in this article, what I think about it as a healthcare professional and as a regular person concerned about my health, and whether I would recommend Life Line Screening to others.

Most importantly, I will address some controversies surrounding this type of screening and the careful and measured thought process I took, which finally convinced me to book an appointment for screening. 

The whole process is very smooth and organized and eliminates the usual stress and inconvenience of going to clinics and hospitals, in my opinion.

Here is the step-by-step process of how it works:

Step 1

Book an appointment on lifelinescreening.com.

Receive detailed instructions about the location and time of your health screening (location closest to you) and how to get ready for your testing.

Step 2

On the date and time of your appointment, you are checked in at the registration desk and will be given a health questionnaire to complete.

You will also have access to this questionnaire before your appointment date.

I recommend filling this out ahead of time to ensure a quicker and more seamless registration process.

Step 3

A Life Line Screening Technician will take you to a private screening area (in my case, they had hospital-type privacy curtains separating screening spaces).

From there, depending on which tests you have signed up for, you will be quickly and efficiently moved through all the stations.

The screening takes just a few minutes, and then you are done! No need to disrobe or change into hospital gowns – you can stay in the clothes you arrived in.

I recommend shorts, or if the weather is cold, pants and shirt sleeves that are stretchy or easily rolled up.

This allows for easier access to your arms and shins.

This decision proved useful since I opted for osteoporosis and peripheral artery disease screenings.

Step 4

Some of the screening results will be available to you right there at the testing.

Other screenings will need to be reviewed by a board-certified physician and will be posted in the online portal, and will be available in a few days.

You can request that the report be mailed to you, which takes about 14 days.

These easy-to-read reports are detailed yet organized and can be shared with your primary care doctor or specialist.

Keep reading to see actual reports from my own health screening with Life Line Screening.

What testing methods are used by Life Line Screening?

1. Ultrasound: A wand is used with gel over the testing area. Painless, and it is not an x-ray.
2. Finger-prick test: Small needle is used on your finger to draw a little blood. Minimal pain!
3. 6 Lead EKG: Electrode patches are applied to the skin to measure your heart rhythm for Afib. Painless!

Next, let’s review the preventive health screenings in detail…

Cardiovascular Disease & Stroke Risk health screenings

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease, or carotid stenosis, happens when plaque gathers in the neck arteries.

Everyone has two of these arteries, one on each side of the neck, which take blood to the brain.

Plaque is a mix of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances.

Over time, it can make these arteries less flexible and thinner.

This condition is called atherosclerosis.

When arteries are clogged, they can’t carry enough blood and oxygen to the brain.

People might develop this disease as they age, but many don’t show any signs.

Surprisingly, for many people, the first sign is having a stroke.

If someone has carotid artery disease, they might also have plaque in other arteries.

The plaque can either move to the brain or block blood from getting there. A stroke from this can result in lasting brain harm or even death.

The ultrasound test for carotid artery plaque is simple, pain-free, and you can keep your clothes on.

While you lay on your back, the tech puts a clear gel on your skin.

This gel helps get clearer images by reducing air interference.

The tech then uses a device to take pictures over your skin.

The gel is wiped off once the test is done without leaving any traces.

Doctors who mainly deal with vascular disease trust these tests.

In fact, 9 out of 10 heart doctors recommend screening for vascular diseases in individuals with significant risk factors.

Who should get carotid artery screening?

A carotid artery ultrasound is appropriate for all adults age 55+, and adults age 40+ with two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Many people age 40+ wish to undergo an initial screening as part of an overall wellness program.

Discuss your risk factors with your doctor to determine if screening is right for you.

The video below explains this screening:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA)

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is when the aorta, the body’s biggest artery, expands like a balloon in the stomach area.

This weakens the artery walls, and they can break or leak, leading to internal bleeding.

If this happens, it’s a critical medical situation that needs urgent care.

As in the carotid artery screening, ultrasound is used for this test.

Who should get AAA screening?

Anyone age 50+, or age 40+ with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Here’s a video from Life Line explaining the AAA screening:

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is when the heart’s upper chambers, the atria, don’t beat steadily. Instead, they flutter or quiver.

This fluttering can cause the heart not to push all the blood out, leading to blood pooling and clot formation.

If these clots move to the brain, it can result in a stroke.

People with Afib have a stroke risk that’s 5 times higher than usual.

I can verify this – In my clinical practice, many of my patients recovering from stroke have underlying Afib.

Afib screening details

Life Line Screening’s 6-lead EKG for identifying Atrial Fibrillation is simple, non-intrusive, and you don’t need to undress.

While lying down, EKG sensors are placed on your wrists and ankles to record your heart’s electrical activity.

A skilled technician checks this record to see if there’s any irregular heartbeat during screening.

You’ll get a letter with your test results, letting you know if everything’s okay or something’s off.

If there’s an issue, it’s advised to see your doctor.

Here’s a video explaining the Afib screening:

Peripheral Arterial disease (PAD)

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is when the main arteries in the legs get narrow or blocked by plaque, making it hard for blood to flow.

It’s the hardening of arteries in the limbs.

If you have PAD, it might suggest that similar blockages are happening elsewhere in your body.

PAD can lessen the blood going to your feet and legs, leading to pain and even tissue dying off (gangrene).

People with diabetes or a smoking history have a higher risk because these factors affect circulation.

If you fit this description, a PAD test might suit you.

PAD screening details

The peripheral artery disease test is easy, fast, and involves no invasive procedures.

You only need to take off your socks and shoes.

Blood pressure cuffs are wrapped around your upper arms and ankles.

The technician uses a small ultrasound tool to measure the blood pressure in your limbs.

When compared between your arms and legs, this measurement gives a ratio known as the ankle-brachial index (ABI).

This ABI can show if you’re at risk for PAD and if you should consult your doctor.

Once the test is done, a certified doctor reviews the results, showing the ABI for each leg.

This report is then mailed to you.

A normal ABI ranges between 1.0 to 1.3.

If your numbers are outside this range, either too high or too low, your results will advise if you need to see your doctor.

Regardless of the outcome, discussing screening results with your primary doctor is always a good idea.

Here’s a video explaining the process:

Osteoporosis (Bone Density) Screening

Osteoporosis screening (a type of bone density test) uses ultrasound to check the thickness of the shinbone.

If the bone is less dense than it should be, it could mean a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Like the other ultrasound tests, this test is easy and pain-free.

As people age, sometimes bones can get thinner because new bone doesn’t form as quickly as old bone breaks down.

For this reason, it’s a good idea for both women and men to get this test.

Osteoporosis should be taken very seriously if you are an older adult.

Thin bones result in fractures when seniors take a hard fall.

Falls and fractures are responsible for many serious hospitalizations and premature death in older adults.

I write about this extensively in my article Geriatric Syndromes – I highly recommend you read it.

How is the osteoporosis screening done?

A pulse-echo ultrasound is used on your shin bone to measure its density.

Like the other ultrasound tests, it is painless and non-invasive.

Who is the osteoporosis screening for?

People 50 and older, including men, and those 40 and older with risks for weaker bones should get a bone density test.

Roughly 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or weaker bones, which raises their risk for this condition.

Research shows that about half of women and a quarter of men over 50 might break a bone because of osteoporosis.

Annual men and women preventive health screening package

Consider scheduling an annual Key Health Men and Women Preventive Health Screening at Life Line Screening.

This is the package that I booked for myself.

At the time of this writing in 2023, this screening package is being offered for only $149 (special package pricing 50% off), which includes all the tests I mentioned above:

1. Carotid artery disease
2. Peripheral artery disease
3. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
4. Atrial fibrillation
5. Osteoporosis risk

With results within a few days, you can stay proactive and detect any issues early on.

Controversies surrounding preventive screening

Medical professionals are split over the benefits offered by Life Line Screening.

Some doctors see the value in these tests, while others think they are a waste of money and yield possibly misleading results.

Doctors supporting Life Line Screening

According to retired family physician Dr. Feisinger, Life Line Screening may be beneficial if you are over 40.

He supports its low price point, especially because insurance companies do not cover preventive services.

Dr. Steven Gubin, board-certified cardiologist at the Stern Cardiovascular Center in Germantown, Tennessee, supports these screenings.

He states,

“You’re actually screening people who don’t have symptoms so you can prevent a cardiovascular event. You can actually identify patients that have very early signs of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up). If you pick up plaque at an early age, you’d be more aggressive in treating the risk factors to help prevent a cardiovascular event. These screenings save lives, definitely.”

Doctors not supportive of life line screening

Dr. Kishore Arcot, board-certified interventional cardiologist at the Memphis Vein Center/Memphis Cardiology, does not think these tests are beneficial.

He believes the screenings generate false-positive results and cause undue anxiety and stress.

Life Line Screening counters Dr. Arcot’s claims about seeing false-positive results.

According to the Company, ” Despite the claim that our screenings could lead to a large number of false positives, no one has ever produced evidence to support that.”

I think this is a very important point to consider…

In my profession, facts and objective data matter most.

My personal testing with Life Line Screening

I personally struggled with the decision to book an appointment for testing.

I pondered both sides of the argument and decided to proceed with the testing.

Why?

Because I have risk factors, I realized that not knowing was worse than getting anxiety with false-positive results.

I wanted to know if there was even the slightest possibility that the screening would identify a critical finding.

So, my thoughts align with Dr. Gubin’s above.

If the results returned positive, I would schedule an appointment with my doctor for further testing.

Then, I would know for sure.

Also, as a healthcare professional, I know that screenings are not 100% diagnostic.

These tests are merely what they are called – screenings.

If something seems amiss in my screening, I’ll know I will need to follow up with my doctor for further evaluation.

Some people argued that the tests did not pick up underlying heart issues that resulted in hospitalization and death of their loved ones afterward.

Life Line Screening does not screen the heart, they are looking at the vascular system.

I thought about this potential issue the most…and realized something blatantly obvious right in front of me: Doctors generally don’t do preventive screenings like this in their general practice anyway.

And, if I did have underlying issues, I’d still be in trouble because my doctor would not have done the screenings on me.

So, I realized that blaming any problems on the testing itself is not a practical way to address my healthcare needs.

The other reason that helped me decide was my clinical experience working in the hospital rehabilitation unit.

When I first started practicing, I was appalled by the number of men and women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who had experienced life-changing strokes.

No doubt, many of the reasons were due to poor lifestyle choices, alcohol and tobacco use, diet, and lack of exercise (modifiable risk factors).

But, genetic (non-modifiable risk factors) risks were inherent in many of these people.

So, for all these reasons, I decided to take charge of my own health and schedule my appointment.

What do the Life Line Screening reports look like?

Here are some of my results, with personal information redacted:

Life Line Screening reviews from real people

Customers give mixed reviews.

Many customers express satisfaction with the professionalism and thoroughness of the screenings provided by Life Line Screening.

They appreciate the affordable prices and generous pricing packages offered by the company.

Customers find the screenings noninvasive, painless, and convenient, as they are available in over 14,000 locations throughout the U.S.

The reviews highlight the importance of preventive health screenings for early intervention and motivation for lifestyle changes.

Customers value the peace of mind and early detection that Life Line Screening provides.

Negative reviews suggest that customer service was not as good as possible.

However, this seems to depend on the individual with whom you interact.

My experience was excellent.

Others also say that their customer service experience was appropriate and satisfactory.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews

Here too, the reviews are mixed. See the images below:

It should be noted that the BBB gives the company an A+ rating.

In reviewing the criteria used to rate a company, I believe that Life Line’s prompt response and resolution of customer complaints may be instrumental to why they have received consistently high marks.

Consumer Affairs reviews

Is Life Line Screening worth it?

Several pros and cons exist when considering whether Life Line Screening is worth it.

On the positive side, Life Line Screening offers noninvasive and painless screenings for various medical conditions, providing peace of mind or early detection of chronic conditions.

Their screenings are available in over 14,000 locations throughout the U.S.

However, it’s important to note that insurance does not cover screenings, and some customers find the cost a little pricey.

Ultimately, whether Life Line Screening is worth it will depend on individual preferences and priorities.

Pros

You will find positive reviews from satisfied customers who praise the professionalism and thoroughness of Life Line Screening’s preventive health screenings.

Many individuals argue for the importance of preventive health screenings, citing early intervention and motivation for lifestyle changes as key benefits.

The value for money is often highlighted, with customers expressing satisfaction with the services provided by Life Line Screening.

The company’s credibility as a reliable alternative to traditional methods is also emphasized.

Customers find the screenings to be worth it, with participants planning to repeat the screenings every few years.

Life Line Screening’s dedication to providing high-quality screenings at affordable rates has garnered positive reviews and satisfied customers.

Cons

One drawback of the service is that some customers find the cost a little high.

While Life Line Screening offers affordable health screenings to the public, some individuals may perceive the cost as slightly high.

However, it is important to note that the cost of the screenings is influenced by factors such as the comprehensive nature of the tests, the expertise of the medical professionals involved, and the advanced technology used.

Despite the perceived higher cost, many customers still plan to undergo the screenings again next year.

Ultimately, the decision to undergo the screenings should be based on individual priorities and budget considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Insurance cover Life Line Screening Services?

Life Line Screening services are not covered by insurance, but you can use HSA/FSA payment.

These preventive health screenings provide peace of mind or early detection of chronic conditions, making them a valuable investment in your health.

How Long Does It Take to Receive the Screening Results?

You’ll typically receive your screening results within seven days via an online, secure portal.

You will also receive your printed screening results in the mail if you opt in.

Can I Choose Which Screenings I Want to Undergo?

Yes, you can choose which screenings you want to undergo at Life Line Screening.

They offer a variety of preventive health screenings for risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses.

Do Medical Professionals perform the Screenings?

Yes, the screenings at Life Line Screening are performed by trained technicians. They have a team of board-certified physicians who review most of the screening results, ensuring accuracy and expertise.

What Happens if a Critical Finding Is Identified During the Screening?

If a critical finding is identified during your screening at Life Line Screening, they will notify you on the same day and fast-track your treatment plan. Your health and well-being are their top priorities.